FMA Charlie Awards

Virtual Awards Program – July 24 at noon

The judging of this year’s Charlie Awards is complete and a list of magazines that have placed in the competition is now available for review. Please note: the list is presented alphabetically by category/division and not in the order of the award received. View the list here.

Virtual Charlie Awards Ceremony

Mark your calendars! FMA is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Virtual Charlie Awards Program on Facebook on Friday, July 24 at noon. (More participation details to follow.)

This Awards Program will announce the winners of the 2020 Charlie Awards, as well as the 2020 FMA Magazine of the Year! Please register yourself and/or your staff here so we can notify you of participation information and any event related updates. (And if you can’t make it, the video will be available to view after the premiere.)

IMPORTANT: By entering into the Florida Magazine Association’s Charlie Awards competition, you and/or your company acknowledge that you have the right to enter such work and have notified any third parties such as freelancers that their work has been entered into this competition. You have also granted permission for FMA to post images of your entry on the FMA website, should it place in any of the competition categories.

Any awards not picked up at the Charlie Awards Gala will be shipped to the winner at the magazine’s expense.

DIVISIONS

DIVISIONS: Most categories are divided into these publication types (divisions) for judging:

Under “Category” select your category. Category rules will appear on the page when the category is selected.

Under “Entry name” type in a title for your entry

Under “Publication name” type in the publication for which you are submitting the entry

Click “Save + next”

This will take you to the next tab “Staff credits” where you can enter contributors by clicking the “Add contributor” button. You can click it multiple times to add multiple people.

Click “Save + next”

This will take you to the “Attachments” tab where you can upload attachments and/or submit a URL

When you are done with the entry click “Save + close” at the bottom

When ALL of your entries are complete and you are ready to pay for all entries, go into each entry and click the "Submit Entry" button to add it to your cart.

IMPORTANT!
Please do not click the "Submit Entry" button until you are finished editing all of your entries and are ready to checkout and pay. The payment cart clears itself out after 24 hours so if you submit your entry and do not complete the checkout process within the same 24 hours you will have to go back into each entry and hit the "Submit Entry" button again.

Additional InformationAccepted formats are PDF, JPG, GIF or PNG. Remember that judges will view your entries online so strive to make the file size small enough to make downloading easier. Work samples must be provided in the following format: in pdf, in spreads, without crop marks or bleeds.

MAILING ENTRIES: When mailing in hard copies for judging, please abide by the following rules:

Upload the front cover of the entry to the online system.

From the My Entries section of your account, the last column is called PDF. Click on the image of the PDF next to the entry(s) you wish to mail in, and print. Use one staple to attach this page to the upper left corner of each entry.

If the same entry is entered in more than one category, submit separate copies of that material (and entry form) for each category.

Seal each entry in a separate envelope and staple the printed online entry form to the front of each envelope. Entries requiring multiple issues or articles must be packaged in the same envelope (i.e. Best Overall Magazine). Enclose a sample for each entry. When mailing the entire magazine edition, please tab the entry. Do not mount entries for any category.

All paper entries from a single entrant must be mailed at one time in one box / container.

Entries must be postmarked by no later than March 16, 2020 (one week after the entry deadline).

CATEGORIES

WRITING EXCELLENCE

Note: Layouts may be included

Best Writing: Department
Submit a single department from three separate issues. Department features can be produced by more than one writer. Judging will be based on the quality and consistency of the reporting, writing and imagery, as well as the originality and cohesiveness of the department and the value and usefulness of its content.

Best Writing: Feature
Submit one article per entry. Judging will be based on relevance to the audience, originality and quality of writing.

Best Writing: Public Service Coverage
Entries in this category can be entire publications, articles or editorials that render outstanding public service through coverage of social issues impacting readers. Projects must be promoted and/or developed and completed through the magazine’s own efforts.

Best Writing: Humor
Submit one humorous column or feature per entry. Judging will be based on relevance to the audience, suitable handling of the topic, presentation, originality and overall humor.

Best Writing: Service Feature
Submit one feature or column per entry that offers practical advice or “how-to” information.

Best Writing: In-Depth ReportingSubmit one or more articles on a single topic. The article or series must show a compilation of new information, advancement of knowledge, thoroughness and reliability.

Best Writing: Editorial/Commentary/Opinion
Submit a single editorial or a related series of no more than three editorials. Entries can include clips demonstrating reaction of readers. Judging will be based on quality of writing and clarity of thinking.

Best Writing: Column
Submit a regularly appearing column by the same writer from three separate issues. No syndicated columns. Judging will be based on the best single column with consideration to relevance to the audience, suitable handling of the topic, appearance and originality.

Best Writing: Feature Headlines
Submit three different feature headlines with accompanying decks. Pieces will be judged as a single entry. Judging will be based on the use of the headline as a hook, the information the headline conveys and how it connects to the accompanying artwork and story.

DESIGN EXCELLENCE

Best Traditional Illustration
Submit one per entry. Judging will be based on originality, craftsmanship and ambition as related to the magazine’s mission.

Best Photo Illustration
This category recognizes the growing reliance on computer manipulation and digital composite photos. Submit one per entry (the final image). Judging will be based on originality, quality and ambition as related to the magazine’s mission.

Best Photography: Photo Essay/Series
A series of photos on the same subject published in one issue. Entries should tell a story with more than one photograph and minimal copy. Judging will be based on completeness of presentation, creative ambition, quality of photos, art direction and editorial value.

Best Photography: Cover
Original photograph used as part of a cover story. Submit one per entry. Judging will be based on photo quality, creative ambition, art direction and editorial value.

Best Photography: Single Feature Image
Original photograph used as part of a feature story. Submit one per entry. Judging will be based on photo quality, creative ambition, art direction and editorial value. Quality of reproduction will not be considered.

Best Photography: Single Department Image
Original photograph used as part of a department or section. Submit one per entry. Judging will be based on photo quality, creative ambition, art direction and editorial value.

Best Design: Typography
The use of typographic elements to enhance a layout or design. Submit one per entry. Judging will be based on mechanical excellence, art direction and editorial value.

Best Design: Use of PhotographyUse of photographic elements including selection, cropping, and incorporation with design and story. Submit three different stories.

Best Design: Department
Submit two examples of the same department per entry. Judging will be based on use of graphics and/or photography, creative ambition, effectiveness of the presentation and editorial value.

Best Design: Feature
Submit one feature treatment that is more than two pages long. Judging will be based on use of graphics and/or photography, creative ambition, effectiveness of the presentation and editorial value.

Best Design: Cover
Submit one per entry. Judging will be based on use of graphics and/or photography, creative ambition, effectiveness of the presentation and editorial value.

DIGITAL EXCELLENCE

Best Digital: Social Media
Submit up to 5 links to social media activity. Judging will be based on creativity, timeliness and strategic use of social accounts to inform, entertain and engage the audience. Judges will also take into consideration the quality and consistency of how the social media work supports the magazine’s editorial goals.

Best Digital: Online Video
Submit link to one editorial video or live-streamed video produced by your publishing company between March 1, 2019 and February 28, 2020. Video should not exceed 5 minutes. Judging will be based on quality, impact and effectiveness of the visual storytelling to the magazine’s editorial goals.

Best Digital: Magazine Website
Submit up to 5 links to different areas of your magazine’s website. Websites will be judged based on the following criteria: Content: Quality of the editorial matter, timeliness, selection and organization of the items; Navigation: Ease of retrieving information from the website; Design: layout, use of graphics, photographs, animation, color and related elements; Advertising: Innovative strategies and/or evidence of revenue generation; Community: Demonstration that the website fulfills its role as “gatekeeper to the community”; and Interactivity: Incorporation of the elements that take advantage of the medium.

NEW! Best Digital: Podcast

Submit link to one podcast episode produced by the magazine’s publishing company between March 1, 2019 and February 28, 2020. Podcast should not exceed 90 minutes. Judging will be based on quality, impact and effectiveness of the storytelling to the magazine’s editorial goals.

NEW! Best Digital: Hashtags

Submit no more than three original hashtags for consideration that will be judged based on ingenuity as it relates to the magazine’s mission, as well as effectiveness of reader engagement. Judges will search hashtags on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

GENERAL EXCELLENCE

Best Advertisement: Self-PromotionalAny advertisement created by the company’s in-house team to promote its own magazine, company or event. Submit one print ad per entry. Judging will be based on quality and effectiveness of the message.

Best Advertisement: For a ClientAny advertisement created by the company’s in-house team for outside client(s). Submit one print ad per entry. Judging will be based on quality and effectiveness of the message.

Best Advertorial: Story or Section
Any special advertisement section created by the company’s in-house team for outside client(s) that reads like an editorial section. Can be a single-page or multiple-page section. Judging will be based on quality and effectiveness of the message.

Best Custom Publication
Eligibility limited to an annual or biannual magazine produced by, but not containing the title of, the magazine producing it, either in the logo or tagline. Custom publications are produced for a specific customer base. Submit one issue per entry. Judging will be based on the excellence and depth of supporting material and use of photography and illustrative material.

Best Visitor Publication
Any annual or periodic magazine produced with the primary mission of promoting tourism in Florida and enhancing the visitor experience. City, area and regional publications are not eligible to enter in this category. Judging will be based on the excellence and depth of supporting material and use of photography and illustrative material.

Best Special Theme or Show Issue
A single issue or special supplement devoted to a dominant theme, identified on the front cover and contents page. Example: Coastal Castles–A Water’s Edge Special Publication. Judging will be based on the excellence and depth of supporting material and use of photography and illustrative material.

Best Redesign
Any magazine that has performed a major reworking of its overall design and/or content between March 2019 and February 2020. Submit one issue each featuring old and new design. Judges will consider redesign’s creative ambition and editorial value as related to the magazine’s mission, as well as its relevance to today’s aesthetics and trends in comparison to the previous design.

Best New Magazine
Limited to magazines first published between March 2019 and February 2020. The magazine must never have been previously published under its current title or company name. Submit three different issues (submitting fewer than three issues is acceptable only for those publications launched too late to comply, but which will produce at least three issues during a 12-month period). Include a one-page summary of mission statement and editorial concept.

BEST OVERALL AWARDS

NEW! Best Overall: App/Digital Edition
Submit link to three digital editions, or instructions on downloading and accessing your app. Judging will be based on navigational ease, editorial and visual quality as it relates to the magazine’s mission. Should contain a variety of content, including a minimum of 25% editorial that is published as a unit. Content may be in paginated or responsive form. Electronic newsletters and websites do not qualify. Judging will be based on editorial and visual quality as it relates to the magazine’s mission, as well as navigational ease, effectiveness of reader engagement, and readability on phones, tablets, and desktops.

Best Overall: Design
Submit three different issues published between March 2019 and February 2020. Judging will be based on the use of all graphics including typography, use of photography, line art, effectiveness of presentation and page design.

Best Overall: Writing
Submit three different issues published between March 2019 and February 2020. Judging will be based on quality of writing, editorial focus and depth of reporting.

Best Overall: Magazine

Submit three different issues published between March 2019 and February 2020. Judging will be based on originality, design, creativity, photography/illustrations, writing, reader interest, overall impact/execution and success in achieving the magazine’s mission.

IMPORTANT!All entrants in the Best Overall: Magazine category must submit an online entry (either a blank placeholder entry or a digital version of your magazine) AND also mail in six (6) hard copies of each submitted issue, postmarked no later than March 9, 2020 (one week after the entry deadline). This is required in order to expedite the judging process for Magazine of the Year. If a magazine does not send in six (6) hard copies of each issue, they will not be considered for Magazine of the Year. Please mail hard copies to: Devon Dunkle c/o Florida Magazine Association, 1025 Greenwood Blvd, Suite 191, Lake Mary, FL 32746.

MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

Magazines cannot directly enter this category; rather, the Best Overall: Magazine winners in each division will then be considered for Magazine of the Year in a separate judging process. Judging will be based on originality, design, creativity, photography/illustrations, writing, reader interest and overall impact/execution. Historically, the magazine that best met its mission statement has been taken into consideration.

Judges for this year’s competition include leading writers, editors, designers and educators—all from outside the state of Florida. Individual awards are the decision of the independent judges and are based solely on the judges’ evaluations of entries. Judges will critique this year’s winning entries, and their comments will be made available following the FMA conference awards gala (when applicable).

AWARDS

Award winners will be announced at a dinner gala on the evening of July 24th during the 2020 Florida Media Conference held at The Westin Sarasota. For full conference details visit www.floridamediaconference.com.

FAQ

What file formats are accepted for uploading?
File types are PDF, JPG, GIF, and PNG.

How do I see the entries I’ve created? How do I make changes?
When logged into the website, the black bar on the left-hand side of the screen will have a section called “My entries”. There, you can see all entries you’ve created, as well as their status (“In progress” or “Submitted”). You can edit an entry at any time, even after submission (until the contest period closes), by clicking the name of the entry.

How can I make my PDF files smaller?
Most newspaper PDFs include high-resolution images for printing. However, PDF contest entries will be viewed and judged on a computer monitor, which displays at low resolution (72-96 dpi) in RGB color. Changes in the resolution and color mode of images are the most effective way to reduce file size without sacrificing quality.

What if I cannot make the files small enough?
The system allows files up to 20 megabytes (mb) only. If you cannot make your files small enough to load to the website, then you may host larger files from your corporate server or use the free service online at www.issuu.com.

Where can I get more help for anything I can’t find here?
Email ddunkle@mediagenius.com or call (321) 283-5272

Don’t miss out on any information about this year’s contest! Subscribe now to the FMA Charlie Awards email list:

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